Things to do & places to visit in Rock Island, Illinois, United States

Rock Island city in Illinois, United States. Timezone: America/Chicago, current date and time: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 2:36.

Top things to do (29)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show (22 reviews)
- Awesome Fun Show
Theatre & Performances

Just saw this this weekend and loved it. The show is free, they just ask for donations. It is on the Rock River. there were about 70 skiers, they do a little of everything from towers to jumps. The skiers are of all ages from five to ????, and they were all good. Grandchildren also enjoyed it. See more..
5.0 ComedySportz - Quad Cities (9 reviews)
- Funny Date Night
Sunday: Theatre & Performances
I've seen this place for so many years but was so weary about going to see what it's about. Just recently moved back to town from a bigger city and we needed something to do. Well ComedySportz was it. We had a BOGO and took the leap of faith and it was the best decision we've ever made. The teams were funny and the ref made sure the crowd was engage the entire night. We made the family friendly 7pm show but was able to stay for the 17 and over 930 show but that is the plan for another night. If you haven't tried this you are missing out on nice clean comedy. See more..
5.0 Skeleton Key Art and Antiques (6 reviews)
- Craft purchase
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Speciality & Gift Shops • Art Galleries • Antique Shops

Located in downtown Rock Island, Skeleton Key is a one-of-a-kind store in a one-of-a-kind historic building. Over 80 vendors lend their expertise and talent to showcase a collection of art, antiques, and locally crafted gifts ideas - all under one roof! With everything from jewelry and candles, to fine antiques and original art, Skeleton Key has something for every taste and budget. See more..
5.0 Fryxell Geology Museum (6 reviews)
- If You Like Fossils and Minerals...
Sunday: 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Natural History Museums

What a great little museum. If you like fossils and minerals, you will love this place. The woman that told us about the dinosaur that was found by a professor of the Augustana College in Antartica was so informative. Everyone in our group of 6 was impressed with the quality and array of the collection. It is small, but packed with a lot to se See more..
5.0 Legends Corner (2 reviews)
- Great food at reasonable prices
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM Bars & Clubs
Try the grilled tenderloin, it's delicious! Their breakfast specials on the weekend are also fantastic. See more..
5.0 QCCA Expo Center (1 review)
- Great place for shows..
Convention Centers
The Quad City Conservation Alliance was founded in 1984 as a not for profit conservation alliance by five local conservation clubs who recognized that they could do more by teaming up. They opperate the QCCA Expo Center where they will have various shows. I've now been to two shows so far and I have enjoyed myself each time. So far this 2020 season, I have been to the Quad City Home Builder Show and the RV & Camping show. Many vendors with lots of products and information. This is great venue to have places. They do a wonderful job. If you go to their website qccaexpocenter.com you will find their events being planned. They do have a cafeteria in there where you can purchase food other than from the vendors that go there. They offer dogs, brats, pulled pork, etc. all of which is good, and all of which helps supports their organiazatons fundraising. This is the first two times that i've been to any shows at this venue and I will certainly will be back. Many shows, many attractions. See more..
4.5 Jumer's Casino Rock Island (2.065 reviews)
- Always a pleasant stay
Casinos

There’s no better place for nonstop gaming action and luxurious amenities than this Illinois Casino & Hotel. Jumer’s Casino and Hotel is equipped with the best in slots, table games, world-class hotel accommodations, amenities and dining. Jumer's amenities include a full service salon and day spa, four restaurants, gift shop, pool, fitness center and so much more! So, plan your visit to Jumer’s Casino and Hotel resort today. Your greatest Illinois gaming adventure awaits you!Recently Added: Aqua Driving Range with Floating Green. See more..
4.5 Circa 21 (162 reviews)
- Great food and entertainment
Sunday: 12:00 AM - 6:00 PM Dinner Theaters

Wonderful ,orate theater where you dine before the show. You have 3 choices of meals to choose from and a delicious dessert. I always like to have my dessert with coffee during the intermission of the show.Your waiters and waitresses are either in the pre-show or the show itself. If you are with a group that rode a bus ,you are guaranteed a box of chocolate chip cookies to savor on the way home. I have been to this theater and recommend going at least once a year. See more..
4.5 Rock Island Arsenal Museum (119 reviews)
- A museum that covers wars and weapons the United States have been involved with.
Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Military Museums • Speciality Museums • History Museums

The Rock Island Arsenal Museum is the Army’s second oldest museum. It first opened to the public on July 4, 1905. The museum tells the story of Rock Island Arsenal and Arsenal Island from the establishment of Fort Armstrong in 1816 to today. Among the museum's highlights is its firearms collection. Consisting of more than 1200 military and civilian firearms, the collection is one of the most unique in the country. Visitors can see a wall-gun from the American Revolution, rifles from the Little Bighorn Battlefield and Custer’s last stand, and experiment firearms from Rock Island Arsenal’s Rodman Laboratories. The museum is open Tuesday to Saturday from Noon to 4:00pm See more..
4.5 Rock Island Arsenal (109 reviews)
- Well worth your time
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Government Buildings

Rock Island Arsenal is an active US Army facility located on a 946-acre island in the Mississippi River. In 1969, the arsenal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, the original arsenal buildings were designated a National Historic Landmark. Today, Rock Island Arsenal is our nation's largest government owned and operated arsenal. The importance of the island was identified as early as 1809, when it was set aside as a federal military reservation by an Act of Congress. See more..
4.5 Quad City Botanical Center (90 reviews)
- Gorgeous
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Gardens • Educational sites

The staff was very helpful and kind. It was $5 to go in. You get a map and then get to explore. If you sweat easily, don't go on a warmer day, it gets steamy in the main house. See more..
4.5 Mississippi River Visitors Center (62 reviews)
- Lock & Dam #15 - Worth a Visit
Visitor Centers

Stoped here after visiting the Rock Island Arsenal. The park ranger guide was excellent. We had the opportunity to watch a large coal barge go through the lock up close and personal with the ranger explaning what was happening. There is an interesting display there and a good short video that was worth watching. Make certain to see the exhibit that explains why the locks and dams can't prevent the Mississippi from flooding! Also, a small but good gift shop with items about the River, the workings of the lock and the American Eagle. This was a very worthwhile and fund stop to better appreciate the Mississippi River. See more..
4.5 Icons Martini Bar (16 reviews)
- Icons martini bar
Spent 1-2 hours Bars & Clubs

Unbelievable the choices of martinis....so many to choose from and the bartenders are so friendly!! 100% recommend this bar. See more..
4.5 The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum (16 reviews)
- UNEXPECTED GEM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

This was an unexpected gem while we were staying in Moline Illinois. The exhibit was Manuscripts by Charles Darwin. We were totally unaware that a Manuscript museum existed. As we are from Minnesota we will visit the one in Duluth. This is a rotating exhibit and when we are in the area we will return. See more..
4.5 Atomic Cannon (12 reviews)
- Great history
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Monuments & Statues

A very impressive collection of firearms, cannons , artillery and tanks . Atomic vannon is huge. The entire park is well kept and easy to get around. See more..
4.5 Mississippi River Lock and Dam No. 16 (11 reviews)
- Excellent tour
Dams

Went to lock #16 and had a fantastic tour. This is the first lock built on the Mississippi River. The tour is free and very informative. Interesting to see a boat with many barges going through the canal and the opening of the bridge. Highly recommend. Rating... outstanding. See more..
4.5 Skellington Manor Event Center (9 reviews)
- Company Outing
Spent 2-3 hours Escape Games

Skellington Manor Event Center is a multi-use facility available private and public events. Located in downtown Rock Island, Il with easy access from anywhere in the quad cities. We host beautiful wedding receptions, hilarious Murder Mystery Dinners, challenging Escape Room Experiences, live entertainment and the areas premier haunted attraction. Check us out! The fun starts here! See more..
4.5 Whitewater Junction (8 reviews)
- Fun, Fun, fun
Water Parks

The costs are a little pricey but you get 2 water slides, a regular pool with diving boards and a kiddie pool area. It has lots sitting areas with several areas being in the shade. The food is basic hot dogs, popcorn,ect. It beats driving to 6Flags water park See more..
4.5 Broadway National Historic District (4 reviews)
- Amazing
Spent More than 3 hours Historic Sites • Neighborhoods • Points of Interest & Landmarks

That so many historical homes are displayed here. Large homes that are uniquely painted. Styles dating back to the 1800's. Absolutley mesmerizing! See more..
4.5 Quad CIties Criterium (3 reviews)
- Mid-West bike racing at it's best
Other Outdoor Activities

I had the chance to attend the Quad Cities Criterium, held in down town Rock Island, IL, on Memeorial day. The races started at 8 am and lasted throughout the day. Bicycle racers from throughout the mid-west provide some exciting races all day long. The weather was a little rainy in the morning and it resulted in several riders crashing on the slippery corners. The course was 3/4 of a mile that winded it's way around city streets. The area where the race was held is home to serveral restaurants and bars so there was a variety of food and refreshments available. This was the 5th year I have attended. See more..
4.5 Schwiebert Riverfront Park (3 reviews)
- I Love Schiewiebert Park
Parks

I enjoy taking my kids to Schiebert to run in the sprinkler in the summer. The park has pretty views and a great play areas with very cool equipment. There is often live music at the large stage or cultural presentations. Across the street is the District were there are often festivals as well. The school district also has there back to school party there and the city has there Halloween party there. Very nice park. See more..
4.0 Hauberg Museum (15 reviews)
- Gem Historical Museum
Sunday: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM Speciality Museums

A small but well-conceived museum that focuses on the two tribes that originally inhabited the region - the Sauk and Meskwaki. It is located in part of a much larger Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp built in the 1930s. When we entered, we were greeted by the Director who was manning the front desk. She was very knowledgeable and eager to tell us about the life cycle of the Native Americans in that area. The rest of the tour is self-guided as you work through a series of life size dioramas showing how they lived and worked in each season in the year. A bonus in another part of the lodge is the story of the CCC crews who constructed the building and its surroundings. The museum is free but a donation is suggested. Although somewhat off the beaten path, this museum is well worth taking the time to visit. See more..
4.0 Sunset Park (15 reviews)
- Hidden gem of the Quad Cities.
Parks

Wonderful place to come to for biking, walking, or fishing. I'm sure that most Quad Cities residents have not been there. This is one of the most beautiful spots that we have. The point is a great place for pics. If you are out of town, a visit is a must. You will take pictures and you will come away thinking that this is what the Mississippi is like. See more..
4.0 Colonel Davenport House (14 reviews)
- Take the tour!
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

Advertised as the first regular house with siding, it's actually a log house underneath... check out the internal structure preserved on display in the newly attached bonus room. The tour guide was one of the most interesting guys I met on a two week long trip, and he really knew the place and the area inside and out. Be sure to ask Colonel Davenport's real name and why it was changed. See more..
4.0 Radicle Effect Brewerks (9 reviews)
- Great Craft Beer, Great People
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 12:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Bars & Clubs

I went in to see the collaboration brew between Radicle Effects & Tangled Roots Brewing Company. It was such a great experience. The owner was great and kind, the brewers we awesome, and the bartenders top notch. They have the best Bloody Mary my wife and I have had in a long, long time. Don't forget to try the garlic stout, delicious. If you are looking for a great time, a little out of the ordinary, come to Radicle Effects. See more..
4.0 Fort Armstrong Historic Site (1 review)
- A piece of history.
Historic Sites • Military Bases & Facilities • Monuments & Statues
I was on a road trip around the area and I always look for historic places to check out. This location popped up and I added the stop to places I wanted to see. There is only a few parking spots on the road to use and I was lucky that one was open. There is a small block house fort recreation, a couple monuments, an area of information boards with Nature and Native American information, and a few cannons. There is a picnic table too, but I sat under a tree and had lunch. I noticed the sidewalk lead to the Arsenal/Government Bridge, so I walked over to it and checked out the barges in the lock. I ended up walking all the way across the bridge to Iowa on one side and back on the other. Not many people I know have walked over the Mississippi River. See more..
3.5 Highland Springs Golf Course (9 reviews)
- Championship Course
Golf Courses
Nice longer course for the serious golfer. Played many times there and some years the course seems green and lush but a few times not so much. Prices are good, nice riding carts, nice driving range, but staff could be a little more friendly. See more..
3.5 Wake Brewing (3 reviews)
- " New Brewing Company With Nice Building "
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 12:00 AM Spent 1-2 hours Breweries

I visited the Wake Brewing facility a few weeks ago. Wake has only been open a few months and are building their popularity. Wake has brewed up several very different types of beers.The interior of the building is very clean, simple, functional, modest. They have a very nice outside patio area also.Their IPA beers were good. The Shook One's was very good. Wake also has different Punk and Individual music bands and performers from the 70's & 80's, which play there. Definitely Wake Brewing is for a younger crowd. See more..
3.0 Black Hawk State Historic Site (3 reviews)
- Good
Historic Sites

Great piece of IL natural heritage, museum is top notch, important history of the Sauk tribe. Beautiful rolling woodland along the Rock River. See more..
Sunset Marina - Rock Island (0 review)
Sunday: Marinas
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